All Times BST

21:16 Saturday The big day is almost upon us and it has to be said the Arc seems to be lacking something this year, although I suppose we have all been spoiled the past two years.

No more rain is forecast in Paris and, indeed, the forecast is for a sunny Sunday with the mercury heading for an unseasonal 25 degrees.

We will, internet access permitting, have coverage of the first eight races on the super card and it is a great card with, arguably, some of the so called supporting races looking more classy than the Arc itself.

07:23 Well a good start to the day as Paris has blue skies with just a few whispy clouds. No official going report yet.

09:27 Good morning from a sunny Paris, much warmer than expected and not exactly pleasant for those who came in winter suits …. but a little personal discomfort is nothing.

It is still a while before the gates open but there are already queues outside the course.

In the press room it is too early for many who will be nursing hangovers, at least arriving this early guarantees a seat.  All the early birds here are the Brits, Jim McGrath is already here, as is Mick Fitzgerald – not sure if he is doing Beeb duties today. Continuing the jumping theme we have another Grand National winner here in the shape of Marcus Armitage.

Racing gets underway at 12:05 UK time and, so far, the internet is working well.

09:34 After yesterdays fraught journey as least I have arrived at the course fed and watered and not in a ratty mood …. of course I still have to battle home but that is for later.

There is little more civilised than a relaxing French breakfast, sitting on a terrace in the sun.

09:37 I am only aware of one non-runner at the moment, details on the right.

I am still awaiting the official going report.

09:42 Have just received the official going report it is still Tres Souple - Very Soft - although a gusting southerly wind is forecast

10:39 This is the trophy they will be competing for in the big race, not to mention in excess of £2m first prize money

10:41 One of the iconic views of the course, the famous Moulin by the Arc start

10:44 Is there a more attractive parade ring anywhere else?

10:57 Good whispers on course for Sarafina in the big one. Go outside and nearly all the accents you hear are British.

Hard to believe it is only an hour to our opener.

M Doumen says he has ground worries surrounding Kasbah Bliss, Blek is being talked up here - ground will certainly not be a concern.

11:00 There are quite a few correspondents from The Gulf states here, no surprise when you consider Qatar are sponsoring the meeting. There was one sitting next to me yesterday with "call to prayer" ringtone on his mobile - makes a change from some of the ringtones you hear in the press room.

It was quite funny at Ascot last week as Lee Motishead from the Racing Post has the most recent Grandstand theme as his ring tone and I have the original Grandstand theme as mine - it turned out to be quite a nostalgic afternoon for lovers of old TV themes.

11:29 Just over half an hour to the opener and I have to say the crowd today does not seem to be as large as last year – perhaps there will be a last minute rush.

Then again it could be we don’t appear to have a superstar in this year’s Arc, so that may also have some bearing, along with the recession.

A more scientific assessment of the smaller crowd size is I only had to queue five minutes to grab some hot, well hottish, foot - just a snack to keep me going. If all goes to plan I should have time for a decent meal at the airport tonight.

Paris is not exactly cheap and there is also the Paris Motor Show on at the moment, so hotel rooms have been like gold dust this weekend.

11:35 Have just been handed a note which says officials are confident the ground will have dried out to be Soft by the time the Arc goes off.

11:37 Racing gets underway with Europe’s longest Group 1 contest, the Qatar Prix Du Cadran  over the extended 2m 3f and it will take some getting today.

11:55 Los Cristainos is a very small horse, Brusco is swishing his tail like a moulin

12:22 Without wishing to sound like a cracked record after yesterday another classic demonstration of a stereotypical French race.

Joint favourite Blek set out to make all, accompanied by Brusco.

Blek led for almost two miles before dropping out to finish virtually pulled up along with Shawnee Saga.

The Brits were cheering loudly when Kasbah Bliss hit the front two out, having been settled mid-division, soon opening a lead.

However the cheering was short lived as Gentoo and Winter Dream, both of whom had filled the last two places throughout the race, came with late challenges.

It was Gentoo who had the most impressive turn of foot pulling well clear to record a decisive victory.
Winter Dream ran on to takes second spot, relegating Kasbah Bliss to just third spot.

12:27 From the longest Group 1 in the calendar to the shortest, the Qatar Prix De L’Abbaye De Longchamp over 4f 213 yds.

21 go to post and don’t expect a detailed analysis of the contest as, like Sandown, the sprint course is well in the centre of the course and unless I grab a pitch high in the grandstand there will be no view of the finish due to hospitality tents. If that isn’t bad enough we have no TV replay facilities in the media centre.

12:59 Well another British winner of the Sprint but probably not the one most expected.

Luke Morris on Gilt Edge Girl, in the plumb stall one draw, hit the front just after half way and opened up a big enough gap to hold off the late chargers.

Lady Of The Desert, set off joint favourite along with Swiss Diva, came home second.

Mar Adentro was third past the post but barged his way through runners and the stewards are taking a look.

Old favourite Marchand D’Or came with his characteristic late run to finish fourth, just heading the tiring Arctic who had looked a serious challenger a furlong out.

David Elsworth, trainer of Swiss Diva, said “the race was lost at the beginning,” saying the filly “knocked herself badly coming out of the stalls” and “was never travelling” in the race.

13:04 Time for the girls now and the Total Prix Marcel Boussac over the mile.

They now have fresh ground in the home straight with the false rail having been removed after the first.

13:29 By far the best finish of the two days, so far in a very international contest.

German raider Danedream set the pace but Johnny Murtagh on Ballydoyle’s Misty For Me made sure he sat on the Germans quarters as the duo gave the others something to follow.

Odds-on favourite Helleborine was settled mid-division, whilst Galikova did not look that happy on the ground.

The action really took off approaching the final furlong as Murtagh eased Misty For Me to the front but Pasquier then launched Helleborine with her challenge and it looked as though it would be decisive.

As the home challenger ranged upsides of Misty For Me the Irish raider quickly responded and battle was joined with Misty For Me proving to be a brave fighter and a very impressive winner.

The victory has seen William Hill cut the winners odds from 12/1 to 7/1 for next years Guineas, with Helleberine 8/1, White Moonshine remains the 5/1 favourite.

 Rainbow Springs came home third for John Gosden and William Buick.

13:34 No chance of a quick O’Brien double as Samuel More is an absentee in the Prix Jean-Luc Legarde (Grand Criterium) over seven furlongs, this leaves nine to go to post and the races seem to be coming thick and fast now.

I have decided to retreat to the press viewing area on the third floor of the grandstand. Good for height but being a furlong from the finishing post not the ideal position when there is a tight finish.

13:36 I feel very parochial. There is a lady sitting opposite me, who was at Ascot last week, and she is discussing her racing plans for the next few weeks, which take in Singapore, Japan and Australia.

14:01 Yesterday evening I received an e-mail from France Galop that today was going to be a day for French winners.

Well after four races they have only the one winner.

In this race Paul Hanagan not only won the race on the unbeaten Wooton Bassett he also showed the home team that races can be run from the front over here.

Hitting the front from just after the off Hanagan set a steady pace before setting off for home in the long straight, as they headed towards the second winning post.

Sure enough the local challenge came late, first from Maiguri then Tin Horse, neither of whom could get to the British raider, who was on the receiving end of quite a few Hanagan backhanders to keep him concentrated.

Second and third crossed the line locked together and it looks very tight as we still await the result.

14:04 Wiliam Hill have cut Wooton Basset to 14/1 from 33/1 for the 2000 Guineas, Frankel still 2/1 fav.

Thought it was close for second - dead head called.

14:07 Another seven furlong contest next the Qatar Prix De La Foret and, for me, the best race of the day with Paco Boy having his best chance of beating Goldikova and in her own back yard.

14:38 Well I would like to tell you how exciting the finish to the Prix De La Foret was, unfortunately I missed the closing stages thanks to a member of the press corps who, despite sitting in the front row of the seating area decided to stand up at the crucial moment blocking my view – I was not impressed and made him aware.

He was so arrogant he almost ended getting smacked and he wasn't even French - but Irish which is unusual as they are usually decent guys.

Anyway Goldikova won the race despite Paco Boy, once again mounting a strong challenge but, once again unable to get past the filly, who William Hill have cut from 2/1 into 6/4 for the Breeders Cup Mile.

It was interesting tactically as, having led, Olivier Peslier on Goldikova then allowed Regal Parade a lead two from home.

However the filly soon hit the front again and came back the Queen of Longchamp.

Dick Turpin seemed to be back to his best, losing nothing in defeat in third.

Richard Hughes said, “The draw did not help. As soon as I got within striking distance of the filly she kept finding more”

Trainers assistant, Richar Hannon jnr, commented, “It was unfortunate we lost ground coming into the straight, from stall one Goldikova had such a massive advantage. But we were boxed in.

“Dick Turpin ran a great race and there will be another day for him and with Paco we’ll sleep on it and see about the Breeders Cup Mile.

“The trouble is wherever we go Goldikova keeps coming up.”

14:40 It may be half an hour to the big race but I am setting off now to get a pitch to view the action, preferably without some Irish retard sitting in front of me.

15:32 Well after winning The Derby then running flat in subsequent races many asked if Workforce would be another horse to be ruined by winning the Epsom Blue Riband.

Well the answer was given this afternoon as he battled to win the Arc.

Unlike his decisive Epsom victory, where he won as he pleased, he had to battle hard against the far rail to hold off the challenge of the determined challenge of the Japanese raider Nakayama Festa.

The pair were well clear of third places Sarafina, who must be considered a very unlucky loser.

There was plenty of scrimmaging on the home turn caused by Duncan. However Midas Touch was slowing quickly and almost bought Sarafina down, so to finish third was .

There was also an incident when Ryan Moore asked Workforce for his effort. Immediately afterwards Lope De Vega’s rider took a dramatic, theatrical, tug. Looking at the replay it seems as though Fame And Glory caused the damage by side swiping him.

The Arc is always a rough race but this renewal seems even rougher than  usual.

The favourite Behkabad was fourth.

15:36 Comment from Sir Michael Stoute, "He was a big disappointment in the King George. It's been a real team effort to get him back to his best.

"Ryan gave him some ride.

"If you have any ambition when you start training, you want to win the Arc.

"We have had a lot of horses running particularly well in it without doing it, so I'm thrilled, especially as he was so impressive on Derby day and the King George performance was inexplicable.

"Ryan felt he should have just switched him off more and I think I may have trained him too hard for the race.

"I don't know if he will train on as a four-year-old but I would love him to."

15:50 Quotes  from winning rider Ryan Moore, “The Derby and The Arc were my biggest two ambitions in racing and this horse has supplied them both.

“He was not right at Ascot but the boss had done a fantastic job getting him back to his best for today.

“The race went well for me, he got into a good rhythm and I was very confident throughout.

“There was some scrimmaging but he got a gap and tried very hard, sticking his neck out to the end.”

16:03 We have just had the Quatar World Cup, the biggest Arab race of the year and it saw another dramatic finish with General just getting the better of Jalnar Al Khalidiah in a bob finish, the pair coming home well clear of Raqiyah in third spot.

16:10 More from Sir Michael, “It’s been a long time coming but am delighted it has come at last, especially  with this horse. He looked outstanding  at Epsom on Derby Day.

“Then for some reason, we don’t know why, he ran badly at Ascot,

“On reflection it may be I over trained an immature horse between Epsom and Ascot.

“After that we were always aiming him at this race.”

16:27 The last race we are covering is the NYSE Euronext Prix De L’Opera a 12 furlong contest with 11 facing the starter, there is another race afterwards, a 20 runner handicap but with the RER to the airport not running this weekend getting back will be interesting so I want to allow more time than usual.

this is going to be an interesting race to read as, for some reason, my racecard has printed off with every runner in black - that will teach me not to double check them before setting off.

Luckily the excellent (and free) Loncchamp racecard has a brilliant summary of the correct colours. I say this every year but UK racecourses should take a look at the free racecards provided to all racegoers here and then hang their heads in shame.

16:33 It is quite funny, even viewing UK sites on the web, all the adverts are coming up in French.

16:46 Well a bit of an upset in the Prix De L’Opera as Jean-Claude Rouget’s seemingly second string Lilly Of The Valley gets up to beat stablemate and favourite, Stacelita, on the line.

Godolphin’s Antara set out to be the pacemaker under Dettori with  on her quarters and Lily Of The Valley tucked against the rail in third spot.

Stacelita set off for home as they came down the home straight and opened up what looked to be a decisive lead. However Lily Of The Valley went after and slowly but surely closed the gap to first get upsides and then edge ahead to cause something of an upset.

The pair finished well clear of Fleur Enchantee back in third, who had been settled in rear before making steady late progress.

Brian Meehan’s Field Day, under Kieren Fallon came home fourth.  

17:05 Well that is it from the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triumphe meeting for 2010.

Beforehand we were bemoaning the lack of a superstar in the big race, perhaps it is now time to eat our words as Workforce once again proved he is a good horse.

It has been a frantic but enjoyable day in the sunshine and I hope you have enjoyed our coverage.

I am now off to battle my way back to the airport and we will be back racing, hopefully, at Leicester on Tuesday – something of a contrast.

From a sunny Longchamp a very good evening – bonsoir.

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Non-Runners

The time in brackets is the time the horse was officially declared a non-runner.

SC - Self Certificate
VC - Vet's Certificate

Non-runners

13:45
4 Samuel Morse

Results (All times BST)

NL - New & Large Course
ST - Sprint Course
LT - Large Course
N2 - New Course, 2nd Post

12:05 Prix Du Cadran 4,000m NL

12:35 Prix L'Abbaye 1,000m ST

13:10 Prix Marcel Boussac 1,600m LT

13:45 Grand Criterium 1,400m N2

14:20 Prix De La Foret 1,400m N2

15:05 L'Arc De Triomphe 2,400m LT

15:50 Qatar World Cup (Arab) 2,000m LT

16:35 Prix De L'Opera 2,000m LT

17:05 Handicap 2,400m LT

10 Run